MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Congressman receives “A” on Council for Innovation Promotion Congressional Scorecard for Working to Strengthen America’s IP Ecosystem

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet, announced June 2 that he received an “A” from the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) for consistently introducing and supporting bills and policies that strengthen America’s IP framework.

“Intellectual property laws protect the rights of inventors and creators by granting them patents, trademarks, and copyrights,” said Johnson. “In doing so, these laws boost America’s competitiveness and export growth, create millions of jobs, and affect virtually every segment of the U.S. economy. In many ways, IP laws are the drivers of the American Dream. I will continue to focus on intellectual property policies that foster the innovation and creativity we need to drive human progress. I am proud to represent so many hardworking artists, innovators, and small businesses working to make their dreams a reality.”

C4IP is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that are necessary for innovation, increased economic competitiveness, and improved lives everywhere.

The Scorecard evaluated Congress across three dimensions: political, legislative, and policy activity. It assesses both current congressional activity and relevant past activity by current members across 116th, 117th and 118th Congresses.

The report highlighted some of Congressman Johnson’s most important legislative priorities, including his SHOP SAFE Act, and bills he’s cosponsored such as the RESTORE Patent Rights Act.

“The United States is not only the world’s largest economy — it is also, by scale and substance, the global leader in innovation and creativity,” the report states. “Indeed, many, if not most, of the revolutionary technologies developed globally over the past half-century originated in the United States. A robust innovation-driven economy relies on a strong system of intellectual property (IP) rights, both now and in the future.”

To read the report, click HERE. To learn more about C4IP, click HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—announced the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is receiving to $83,215,245 for work it completed to repair roads and other critical infrastructure that were deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse ODOT for its vital work that was needed to ensure communities across the state can continue to recover from years of severe weather events.

“From the deadly 2020 Labor Day fires to last year’s ice storms, Oregonians in every corner of our state have faced deadly weather events in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure needed to move safely,” said Merkley. “Supporting disaster recovery efforts should be a nonpartisan issue, and these critical federal funds will support ODOT’s work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters.”

“The ongoing climate crisis continues to fuel more extreme weather events and wildfires every year,” said Wyden. “Reliable infrastructure is essential to ensuring that first responders and crews are able to effectively protect our communities and beautiful outdoor spaces. I applaud this federal award to ODOT for crucial infrastructure projects across Oregon, and will continue to advocate for more resources to keep our communities safe and connected.”

“Reliable roads are essential for safety, connections, and the economy,” said Bonamici. “This much-needed funding will make a significant difference in repairing important routes people use that were damaged by severe weather.”

“These Emergency Relief grants are crucial for getting our roads and bridges repaired after wildfires and ice storms, especially as climate change continues to make both summer and winter weather events more frequent and more extreme,” said Hoyle. “Communities have been waiting for this support, and I’m glad to see the Department of Transportation respond to our delegation’s call. This funding means safer travel, faster recovery, and stronger communities. I’ll keep fighting to make sure Oregon gets the resources it needs to rebuild and prepare for the future.”

“Wildfires, winter storms, and flash floods are becoming increasingly dangerous – and costly – for our communities,” said Salinas. “My Oregon colleagues and I have been working hard to secure the resources that our state needs to recover and rebuild from these disasters, including funding to repair damaged roads and highways. I’m glad that our efforts are paying off, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to good use to improve the safety of all Oregonians.”

“Strong infrastructure is essential to keeping Oregonians connected,” said Dexter. “This funding will help us rebuild roads and bridges damaged by the natural disasters that have become far too common. Every community deserves a transportation system that’s safe, resilient, and reliable—for our families and our economy.”

“As wildfire seasons get worse and climate disasters happen more often, our communities and our constituents will need our help,” said Bynum. “We have to deliver the resources and support they need as soon as possible. This funding is critical in helping us rebuild the roads and infrastructure that Oregonians rely on for work, school, emergency services, and more.”

The federal investments for Oregon come through eight awards under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FHWA Emergency Relief Program, which helps communities hurt by natural disasters and catastrophic events by providing federal funding for them to repair damaged roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.

“Oregon, like every state, relies on the federal government to support our response to disasters,” said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. “Having confidence in that support is critical to our ability to respond to crises at the scale they demand, repair our transportation system to keep Oregon’s economy moving, and to protect Oregonians from disasters like ice storms, wildfires and flash floods. I want to thank Senators Merkley and Wyden, the rest of Oregon’s federal delegation, and our federal partners for advocating for our state and for the safety of Oregonians.”

Details of the federal funding for ODOT’s natural disaster recovery are as follows:

• $30,735,975 to repair damages following the 2020 Labor Day fires. The wildfires statewide caused damage to federal-aid highways from fire, fallen trees, and falling rocks.
• $23,210,956 for work that repaired damages sustained during severe winter weather in December 2022. The significant rains across Western Oregon caused flooding and landslides. One landslide threatened to block I-84, and a large portion of a hillside came down and wiped-out Highway 101.
• $20,000,000 for infrastructure repairs following the January 2024 ice storm. This significant winter storm covered much of Oregon in ice, causing trees and power lines to come down across roads and damage signs. The same storm dropped several inches of rain in Southern Oregon, causing flooding and landslides.
• $3,164,000 to repair damages following a series of severe winter storms in December 2021. The storms brought excessive rain and high winds across the state of Oregon, lasting until January 10, 2022. Multiple large landslides occurred, temporarily limiting access to I-84, OR 138, OR 30, and several others. Culverts blew out, causing multiple roadway collapses.
• $2,765,399 for work to repair damages from severe storms in February 2019. The storms caused heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, flooding, landslides, and erosion in the southwestern and western parts of the state, resulting in critical transportation failures, loss of power and communications capabilities, and emergency mass care needs.
• $2,500,000 for repairs following a series of severe storms in December 2023. The storm system brought heavy rains, flooding, and landslides to five counties and was so severe it caused two roads to collapse—Miami Foley and Sandlake in Tillamook County. It also caused the temporary closure of State Highways 101 and 26. Other federal-aid roads were damaged by scour, washouts, debris flows, and mudslides.
• $538,915 for wildfire recovery efforts following the 2017 fire season. These fires significantly impacted transportation systems in the following counties: Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Linn, Marion, and Multnomah.
• $300,000 for infrastructure recovery efforts following an atmospheric river in January 2021. The severe storm brought heavy rain across Oregon, causing flooding, landslides, roads to wash out on US 30, I-84, and sinkholes on Hwy 101 and many other major highways across Oregon in early January 2021.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-Remer to reverse DOL’s decision to close the Pinellas County Job Corps Center. 

The abrupt decision to pause Job Corps operations nationwide is creating deep concerns for the more than 250 students affected by the order.

“This harsh and arbitrary decision casts students into an uncertain future, disrupts job training, and creates housing insecurity for hundreds of young people across Florida,” said Rep. Castor. “This move will upend more than 60 years of progress and take away a vital resource that helps young people succeed. I urge the Department to reverse this order and work with our community to ensure these students are not left behind.”

The Pinellas County Job Corps Center provides job training, education and housing for at-risk youth from across the state. DOL’s directive to pause operations at all contractor-run centers by June 30 follows the release of a report that purportedly relied on narrow and incomplete data. Castor is demanding transparency from DOL regarding this hasty decision – which has a significant impact on at-risk youth – including the reliability of student performance numbers and how pandemic-related challenges were factored into the report.

U.S. Rep. Castor is calling on the Department to delay the pause, revisit the data and commit to keeping opportunities alive for Florida students.

Read the full letter here:

Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer: 

Thank you for the opportunity to relay my deep concern for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) decision to suddenly and arbitrarily close the Pinellas County, Florida Job Corps Center and cast 300 students into an uncertain future. I respectfully urge you to reverse the decision and answer the questions posed below. 

For decades, Job Corps has provided a vital pathway to education, job training and self-sufficiency for young people who deserve a second chance. I am concerned, however, that DOL has proposed dismantling Job Corps, contrary to the direction of Congress. I have heard from local teachers and students how the sudden and arbitrary closure will undercut the mission and leave students in the lurch. The Pinellas County Job Corps Center serves 300 students who hail from across the state of Florida, 285 of whom receive housing, and employs 124 staff members. This order will displace students in the midst of their training, create housing insecurity, lay off dedicated staff and leave communities scrambling to fill the gap. 

Staff and students have raised concerns about the cancellation of national contracts that provide critical services such as Wi-Fi access on-site, the halt of background checks for applicants, thus stopping the enrollment process, and now the pause of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers scheduled to occur by June 30, 2025. This comes after the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report. This report analyzed the financial performance and operational costs of the most recently available metrics of program year 2023. Coming to such a swift decision is both alarming and hasty. 

Please answer the following questions by June 15, 2025:

• The Job Corps Transparency Report claims there are less than 25,000 students participating in Job Corps nationally. What data was used to determine this number? 
• How many students receive housing through this initiative? 
• The report claims that the graduation rate is less than 38.6 percent. Why was the analysis not performed on a date range larger than July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024? 
• How are the impacts of COVID-19 taken into consideration? 
• The analysis weighs incident occurrences against outcomes. What criteria are used to determine what an “incident” is? 
• The report claims that the initiative is no longer meeting set outcomes. How have graduates’ wages compared to wage goals set by DOL for the last 10 years? 
• Are there efficient structural changes that can be made prior to stopping operations? 

The report suggests the initiative has become expensive, yet Job Corps has not received a funding increase in 8 years. This move will upend more than 60 years of progress, leaving current and future at-risk young people with one less pipeline to personal and professional development. Halting Job Corps contracts will deepen inequality and rob young people in need of critical tools to thrive. DOL should be investing in our communities and resources with effective tools like Job Corps to break the cycle of poverty and help young people succeed. I trust that we share the same goal of serving all Americans and bolstering our workforce. I respectfully urge you to delay the pause in operations, review this Transparency Report and include a longer dataset for analysis, and take actions to ensure the success of Job Corps.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) sent a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte calling for transparency on out-of-state big corporations and landlords buying up foreclosed Nevada homes, outbidding working families, and jacking up prices for homebuyers. 

It’s estimated that 15% of the single-family homes in Las Vegas are owned by corporate investors and these massive corporations are trading homes like stocks. Recent local reporting has uncovered that New York-based hedge fund Pretium Partners is most likely the single largest homeowner in Clark County. Pretium-owned Progress Residential, a homes-for-rent management company, owns at least 3,190 homes in the county as of the end of February.  

Lee is a cosponsor of the HOME Act to make it illegal to rent or sell a unit at an unreasonable price during a crisis. It also directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate price manipulation and price gouging by these cash-rich investors. The funds collected from fining these bad actors will go toward the National Housing Trust Fund to increase affordable housing nationwide. 

Nevada is estimated to be over 78,000 units short of affordable units, with the Las Vegas area accounting for over 60,000 units. Las Vegas only has about 14 units for every 100 homes needed. 

“I request further details regarding the processing of these foreclosures, including participation of out-of-state corporate entities in post foreclosure dispositions of properties sold to third parties or real estate owned (REO) properties executed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and steps taken by the Federal Housing Finance Agency to protect local homeowners,” wrote Congresswoman Lee. 

Lee continued, “In addressing this issue, it is critical that processes relating to the foreclosure and sale of homes in Nevada remain transparent and subject to necessary oversight.” 

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:  

 

June 2, 2025

The Honorable William J. Pulte 

Director 

Federal Housing Finance Agency 

400 7th Street SW  

Washington, D.C. 20219  

 

Dear Director Pulte, 

I am writing to seek information about recent foreclosure activities and post-foreclosure dispositions in Nevada. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how many properties have been foreclosed upon in Nevada in the past 24 months. I request further details regarding the processing of these foreclosures, including participation of out-of-state corporate entities in post foreclosure dispositions of properties sold to third parties or real estate owned (REO) properties executed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and steps taken by the Federal Housing Finance Agency to protect local homeowners.  

As you know, Nevada faces a housing crisis which has made homeownership increasingly unattainable for many in our communities. As the supply of available homes and units continues to lag behind demand, corporate landlords and cash rich investors, many of which are based outside of Nevada, outbid working families for available homes and further jack up prices. Currently, as many as 15% of single-family homes in Las Vegas are owned by these investors and studies suggest that corporate entities could own up to 40% of homes nationwide by 2030.  

In addressing this issue, it is critical that processes relating to the foreclosure and sale of homes in Nevada remain transparent and subject to necessary oversight. As such, I request further detail regarding the disposition process following foreclosure, and ask you to provide answers to the following questions:  

1. For properties that have been foreclosed in the last 24 months, does FHFA have information regarding properties that are being auctioned or sold “at the courthouse steps” to third party buyers in their respective jurisdictions, as well as how many REO properties have been processed?
2. Does FHFA have a means of tracking in-state and out-of-state third parties that participate in this process?
3. As it pertains to the established First Look period, can you share additional details regarding properties that are excluded from this period, including how often properties are not subject to the First Look period and who buys those properties? 
4. What additional protections does FHFA enforce, either for REO properties or otherwise, to protect local homebuyers in this process?  

 

This information is crucial to helping better understand current housing trends in Nevada and to address any potential impacts on local housing availability and affordability. Ensuring as many homes as possible are available for Nevada homeowners is a top priority and I appreciate your partnership in promoting transparency in this process.  

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving any data or insights you can share, as well as any relevant procedures or policies that might guide the disposition of foreclosed properties. If you have any questions, please reach out to my office.  

 

Sincerely, 

Susie Lee 

Member of Congress 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Demands Accountability in Regional EPA Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting an investigation into communications between anti-agriculture activist organizations and federal civil service employees. 

“I am writing today to request you investigate collaboration between environmental activist groups and career staff that has appeared to permeate throughout the Region 10 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office in Seattle, Washington,” Rep. Newhouse wrote. 

“The purpose of the federal government is to provide Americans with essential services, including navigating the complex regulatory burden placed on farmers. This coordination is appalling and should be investigated; if career staff did in fact coordinate with activists to target farmers, then those staff are not worthy of a taxpayer-funded salary.” 

Earlier this year, the Cow Palace dairy in Yakima County, Washington, closed its doors after years of litigation from the EPA. This follows the closure of Liberty Dairy, also in Yakima County, in the fall of 2024. 

Dan Wood, Executive Director, Washington State Dairy Federation, said “We appreciate efforts by Rep. Newhouse to bring appropriate review of years-long suspect behavior by certain EPA staff. Activists, their attorneys, EPA staff, and DOJ staff have been coordinating together to drive animal agriculture out of business.  They have changed science reports, coordinated legal strategies, and hidden public documents. This sort of waste, fraud, and abuse needs to be brought to light and ended. Government at all levels must act with integrity, work within the bounds of laws for accountability, and refrain from carrying activist agendas.” 

Ben Tindall, Executive Director, Save Family Farming, said “Washington state’s farmers have waited far too long for accountability from the EPA. While rogue officials in Region 10 have run unchecked, family farms and rural communities—especially in Central Washington—have suffered real and lasting harm. We are grateful to Congressman Newhouse for raising this issue directly to the top leadership in Washington DC. His efforts are an important step toward exposing and ending the abuse of power that has gone on for years behind closed doors.” 

Read the full letter here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Follows last week’s state-level disaster declaration over poor cherry harvest

Federal declaration would unlock new federal aid for Valley farmers

STOCKTON – Today, following last week’s disaster declaration over poor Valley cherry harvests, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced a purchase of up to $3 million of dried sweet cherries to assist cherry farmers during this challenging harvest year. The funding, made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Section 32 authority, will help stabilize the market and create alternative outlets for the current crop and ensure family cherry farms and processors stay afloat.

Poor cherry harvests hit the Valley hard:

“The Valley is the fruit and nut basket of the world, and in our community, 1 in 3 jobs depends on agriculture,” said Rep. Harder. “When crops fail, it’s not just a bad season—it’s an existential threat to local families and our entire economy. This $3 million in emergency support will help our cherry farmers and processors weather the storm. But it’s just the first step. I’m calling on USDA Secretary Rollins to immediately expedite a federal disaster declaration so we can unlock the full range of resources our growers need not just to survive this season, but to come back stronger.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Cuts health care for 42,000 residents, lays off 3,000 health care workers in San Joaquin County

Finances trillions in tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk

WASHINGTON – Today, following the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the federal budget reconciliation bill, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) released the following statement condemning the devastating health care cuts:

“Today, politicians voted to strip health care from 14 million people to fund tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. This isn’t an exaggeration. Right here in San Joaquin County, 42,000 people are set to lose their health coverage. That means tens of thousands of families won’t be able to take their kids to the doctor, fill a prescription, or access emergency care. Because of this bill, medical centers will shut down, ER wait times will spike, and thousands of health care workers will lose their jobs. 

“At a time when families are already stretched thin, this bill puts billionaire tax cuts ahead of working people’s lives. It’s shameful, it’s dangerous, and I’m enraged. I voted no on this cruel bill, and I’ll do everything in my power to stop this nightmare from becoming reality.”

San Joaquin County impacts by the numbers:

• Cuts health care for 42,000 residents.
• Lays off 3,000 health care workers.
• Raises premiums for thousands of Medicaid and Affordable Care Act enrollees.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after a Jewish group was attacked in Boulder, Colorado.

“What happened in Boulder this weekend was a disgusting act of violent antisemitism. Just weeks after two Israeli diplomats were killed leaving a Jewish museum in D.C., we see another horrific politically motivated attack, this time targeting a Jewish group peacefully advocating for the hostages held in Gaza. This kind of violence is deeply disturbing and wholly inexcusable. My thoughts are with the victims and the broader Boulder community reeling from this terrible event. My heart goes out to every Jewish person who feels less safe in our country. The scourge of antisemitism must be extinguished and we must always advocate for a peaceful, safe country for everyone.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Roger Williams (25th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), alongside Rep. Cleo Fields, introduced the Securities Research Modernization Act to amend the Securities Act of 1933. This legislation ensures businesses have better visibility, draw more investor interest, and have a greater chance of a successful public offering. 

“Access to capital remains a top issue for small businesses across America,” said Congressman Williams. “Research reports are critical tools that help companies attract investors and improve transparency in the market, but many small and mid-sized businesses are excluded from research coverage during the public offering process. We must level the playing field to ensure all businesses can compete. My bill ensures investors have access to independent analysis, making the market more transparent, efficient, and prosperous for Main Street.” 

“This bill is about giving hardworking Americans a fair shot at making smart investments. By allowing research on all companies planning to go public—not just the big ones—we’re putting more information in the hands of everyday folks. Louisianans shouldn’t need special connections to Wall Street to build wealth for their families. This legislation helps our small businesses get noticed when they’re ready to grow and creates more opportunities in communities that have been overlooked. When hardworking Americans have better information, they can make better choices for their financial future.” – Rep. Cleo Fields (LA-06)

Read the bill text here.

Background:

• Under current law, many small and mid-sized businesses—especially those not qualifying as EGCs—are excluded from research coverage during the IPO process.
• Expanding this exemption would support more companies, empower retail investors, and strengthen capital formation in communities across the country.

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.